The federal government has on Wednesday 20th December 2023, approved a 50 per cent reduction in price of interstate transport fare for Nigerians traveling during the yuletide beginning from Thursday, December 21, 2023 to January 4, 2024.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also approved free rides for travellers on all train services within the said period.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake in Aso Rock Villa.
“It is in this wise that the President is announcing through us that beginning from tomorrow, December 21, Nigerians willing to travel can board public transport via mini buses, luxury buses at 50 per cent discount of current cost and all our train services on the route the trains currently serve at zero cost on their travels this holiday season'”. He added.
Alake revealed that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Transportation, will be working with transporters, road transport unions, the Nigerian Railway Corporation to properly deliver on this special presidential initiative.
He assured that all the relevant stakeholders in that industry have been discussed with and have been engaged in all the parameters laid out and the Minister of Transportation has the full details and will ensure that the initiative is carried out successfully.
He however noted that air travel was not included in the initiative adding that the initiative is targeted at the poor masses who sparingly use air transport.